Regional

11:23 pm

Tue December 28, 2010

Martinez Nominates CYFD Leader

New Mexico – Republican Gov.-elect Susana Martinez has selected Texas social worker Yolanda Berumen-Deines to become secretary of the Children, Youth and Families Department.

Martinez says she's nominating Berumen-Deines to run the agency that operates New Mexico's juvenile justice system because she shares her passion for protecting and improving the lives of children.

Martinez introduced Berumen-Deines during a news conference Tuesday in Albuquerque.

Berumen-Deines is a clinical therapist in El Paso, Texas.

She also worked for the El Paso Center for Children as director of training for its healthy marriages initiative and has been involved in other nonprofit advocacy groups for abused and neglected children.